MSES Update
March 2024
A Message from Principal Catlin
I can’t believe it’s spring! We have two mini-spring breaks this year and it feels like before you know it we will be in May. This has been a really fun year with some new assemblies and new activities and things we are trying for the first time.
Report cards are being sent out on 3/22/24 and, believe it or not, we are starting to plan for next year already. A “negative request” form will be going home in the coming weeks for you to indicate if there is a teacher or student with whom you have had a negative experience that you would like to not have for the following year. A reminder that you must have direct experience or a personal connection in order to make a request.
Our Pre-K will start accepting registrations on April 15th. The lottery is not “first come, first serve” and as long as the paperwork is in by May 10th all entries will be treated the same entering the lottery. Pre-K, of course, is subject to budgetary approval and nothing is certain for next year in regards of how many sections are being offered but please enter the lottery if you would like your child to be part of our Pre-K next year.
We also have all of our spring events (Field Day, Moving Up, Graduation) and more in the next few months. Combined with the ABC Countdown it is a fun sprint to the end. I look forward to seeing all of you at these events and as always feel free to reach out with any questions.
2024 Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8th a Total Solar Eclipse will take place. You can view a simulation of the eclipse by NASA and NOVA . The totality of the direct path of the eclipse (locations where the moon's shadows completely covers the sun) includes Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Lake Placid as well as other Upstate areas in New York.
Although Long Island is not consider to be in the direct path of the eclipse, out of an abundance of caution, our students and staff will be given special solar eclipse glasses during dismissal so they can view safely. Additionally Mr. Catlin and Mrs. Tepfenhardt will hold an assembly to learn more about this rare experience.
Global Event:Total Solar Eclipse
Local Type:Partial Solar Eclipse in Long Island, New York
Begins:Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Maximum:Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 3:26 pm 0.904 Magnitude
Ends:Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:37 pm
Duration:2 hours, 25 minutes
Click here to view additional NASA Eclipse Safety
Click here New York Department of Environmental Conservation
Calling All Scientists!!
We are pleased to announce this year’s MSES Science Fair will be held on the evening of Tuesday, May 21st, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. This event will be part of the MSES Festival of the Arts and Sciences. A schedule is provided in this packet as well as important information. We are excited to once again bring this experience to Mount Sinai Elementary School, as it will help to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. The Science Fair offers our students a chance to help explore innovative ideas while learning how to make scientific advances on their own or with the help of a family member or friend.
Although students may want to design a project that explores something of interest or is a collection of items (rocks, shells, local animal life) there are supporting resources and information for students that want to conduct research using the Scientific Method or Engineer Design Process.
Our recommendations are:
Keep it simple!
Keep it relevant to your child’s world!
Keep it fun!
We look forward to your participation in this experience!
Student Council Visits Save-a-Pet
MSES Student Club Updates
In Third and Fourth Grade book clubs, students dive deep into book talks. The current selection for Third grade is Bob by Rebecca Stead. This irresistible tale of magic, mystery, and friendship is centered around a theme of belonging. Fourth Graders dove into the I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic graphic novel, which is loaded with nonfiction matter with facts and historical photos.
In Coding club, students are using more advanced Scratch coding to create video game and animation projects. Using blocking like looping, repeating, and if-then statements, students are learning how to engage in iterative thinking and revision using coding.
Our Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary School Club just completed the last of 5 competitions under the direction of Mr. Costa. These competitions allow students to carry out mathematical thinking activities to stimulate students’ enthusiasm for learning, cultivate creativity and enhance mathematical thinking.
The Kindness Club kicked off its first meeting. Students in K-2 are learning about what kindness means including how it looks and sounds while students in grade 3-4 are learning how to be change agents in their local communities. Inspired by Only One You by Linda Kranz, students are planning a rock project centered around this book's important theme: “There is only one you in this great big world…Make it a better place!”
Jump Rope for Heart Health
MSES participated in Jump Rope for Heart to benefit the American Heart Association. Students learned about heart-healthy habits and how their actions can help others. The building raised over $10,000. The program closed with Jump Off Day, where the students had a chance to show off their new skipping skills. Thank you to our MSES PE department, Jessica Wilson, Eric Strovink, Mike Kollmer and Casey Schmitt for facilitating this project.
February MSES Students of the Month
Artist of the Month
Caroline Dennehy
Musician of the Month
Audrey Hohf
Catch a Kid
Writers of the Month
Readers of the Month
Math Students of the Month
Jason Koepper, Landon Worontsoff, Ryan DiStefano (left to right, bottom row),
Alessia Maola, Jaslene Singh and Abygale Taylor (left to right, top row)
Dr. Seuss's Birthday
Consider Checking Out this New Rocky Point Museum!
If you are looking for a place to visit, consider the new Suffolk County WWII Military History in Rocky Point. They have lots of great Long Island and military history on display. Pictured is Mr. Strovink and his longtime friend and Vietnam Veteran.
Grade 3 and Grade 4 NYS Assessment Information
As a gentle reminder, unless we receive notice that your child will not be participating in the upcoming state assessments for ELA and Mathematics by Wednesday, March 27, 2024, we will be including them in our planning. Please click this link for information to submit a test refusal if you wish to have your child not participate in the 2024 NYS ELA and/ or NYS Mathematics Assessment(s). Thank you for your cooperation!
2024 MSES NYS Testing Schedule
NYS ELA Test for Grade 3 & 4:
Administration Dates: Wednesday, April 10th and Thursday, April 11th
Make-Up Window: April 15th, April 16th and April 17th
NYS Mathematics Test for Grade 3 & 4:
Administration Dates: Tuesday, May 7th and Wednesday, May 8th
Make-Up Window: May 10th, May 13th and May 14th
Important Upcoming Dates
March 22nd: 2nd Trimester Report Card distribution
March 28th, 29th and April 1st: Spring Recess 1
April 5th: Bookmark contest entries due
April 10th - April 11th: ELA NYS Tests Grades 3 & 4
April 8th - April 12: Library Week
April 22nd - April 26th: Spring Recess 2